Three ways Sussex is being affected by the current fuel crisis

If you’re worried about spiralling energy bills and fuel costs you’re not alone.

In fact, a recent survey from More in Common suggested more than half of Britons are concerned about the impact of conflict in the Middle East on price rises.

In a statement earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said that Britain was well-placed to weather impacts caused by the conflict, and the government had a “long-term plan” to ensure it emerged a “stronger and more secure nation”.

Despite this, anxiety is understandably rising as prices spiral, with the knock on effect from the conflict continuing to hit people’s pockets, including those here in Sussex.

Here are three ways in which the fuel crisis is impacting Sussex residents.

Heating Oil

Sussex has many pockets of rural areas, particularly parts of the Wealden and Chichester districts, that are uniquely susceptible to price rises because of their high relative dependence on heating oil.

Andrew Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, has said off-grid constituents have reported sudden price spikes, with some suppliers allegedly cancelling pre-booked deliveries only to demand double the original rate.

In a statement released last month, Mr Griffith hit out at what he called “shameful behaviour” and “blatant profiteering” from companies, and pledged to write to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to demand a mandatory price transparency scheme for the heating oil market.

Mid Sussex MP Alison Bennett has also warned the crisis is feeding directly into household bills.

Ms Bennett said that around 5,000 homes in her constituency rely on heating oil and are not protected by the Ofgem price cap, leaving them exposed to sudden global increases.

Andrew Griffith MP has hit out at companies hiking heating oil costs (Image: House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire)

Petrol prices

The impact on rural areas is compounded by their high dependence on car travel, leaving them increasingly exposed to hikes in petrol and diesel prices.

Pumps in Sussex have been pictured as high as 165.9p per litre for petrol in the last week, with diesel prices soaring to 198.9p.

While areas like Brighton and Hove have more extensive public transport links, more rural corners of Sussex do not have the infrastructure to rely on bus and train travel.

The South East recorded the highest levels of car travel in Great Britain according to recent figures from 2024, accounting for 53.6 billion vehicle miles.

Fuel prices in Sussex have risen rapidly (Pictured: A petrol station in Fontwell) (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Taxis

With prices at the pump on the rise, it is inevitable that the cost of taxi trips has also begun to surge.

Measures have begun to be implemented to safeguard taxi drivers against surging fuel prices, however this means the costs are quickly passed down to passengers

Mid Sussex District Council has authorised cab drivers to add 50p for every £5 on the meter to cope with surging petrol and diesel costs when fuel prices hit between £1.90 and £2.24 per litre, according to Private Hire and Taxi Monthly.

Wealden District Council officers similarly raised concerns regarding conflict in the Middle East when they resolved to consult last month on a maximum fare increase of 10 per cent for hackney carriages.

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Car meets and off-road bikes causing disruption in Sussex park

Soaring fuel prices have led to taxi costs increasing (Image: Unknown)

What support is available?

West Sussex County Council has said it is using the government’s newly launched Crisis and Resilience Fund, which started in April 2026, to offer emergency payments to people facing sudden financial hardship.

East Sussex County Council is also using the fund, and is currently working to award a contract for the new service.

More information for West Sussex residents is available here and for East Sussex here.

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